HC Deb 14 October 1996 vol 282 cc453-4
11. Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to stop under-age participation in the national lottery. [37933]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I have directed the Director General of the National Lottery not to license games which, in his opinion, do not have sufficient controls to prevent the participation of young people under the age of 16.

Mr. MacShane

Is the Secretary of State aware that, for the public, one of the most disturbing aspects of this sleaze-ridden Government is their complete indifference to under-age gambling? She may be aware that the Office of the National Lottery and the British Medical Journal have both recently published reports showing the number of 12 to 15-year-olds gambling on the national lottery.

Is she aware, in the light of her statement, that Camelot last year terminated only one retail outlet for under-age gambling? What steps is she taking to ensure that our children keep their pocket money in their pockets instead of swelling the already swollen profits of Camelot?

Mrs. Bottomley

I agree that it is quite wrong that children who are under age should play the national lottery. The director general has repeatedly reinforced that message to Camelot. I can inform the hon. Gentleman that two retailers have lost their licences and another has been suspended. That can have a powerful effect, since the value to a retailer of having a lottery outlet averages £8,750 a year.

I am encouraged by Dr. Sue Fisher's second report, which suggests that fewer under-age children are playing the lottery. It is of course wrong that any should, or that they should buy cigarettes or alcohol. The enforcement measures are similar, and require trading standards officers and police commitment as well as renewed energy on the part of the director general of Oflot and Camelot.

Sir Ivan Lawrence

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is another sense in which we want to encourage the participation of young people in the national lottery? It was the idea of the founding fathers and mothers of the national lottery that a large sum of money should be used to provide artistic and sporting outlets that would take young people off the streets and away from the temptations of juvenile crime. Can she report good news on that front?

Mrs. Bottomley

I certainly can. I announced only last week that directions will shortly be issued to enable lottery money to go to revenue grants for young people in sport and the arts, to encourage participation and to promote excellence. The Millennium Commission has already announced an award to Operation Raleigh, which particularly involves young people; and about £7.5 million has been given in the form of 257 awards to children's play projects and children's charities. Thus, in many ways, the lottery is providing worthwhile activities for young people.

Mr. Pike

Has not Camelot expressed the view, as regards its scratch cards, that it would be quite happy to have the playing age raised to 18 because it recognises the problems associated with them?

Mrs. Bottomley

I am not aware of Camelot's having expressed any such view, but I believe that the whole of the national lottery should be kept under review. It is carefully regulated by Oflot, but if we reach a stage where it needs further regulation or controls, I shall certainly implement them. I am, however, mindful of the fact that the Select Committee's comment on this subject endorsed the Government's position.